Depression and dementia in the elderly

How to tell the difference between depression and dementia? What is the best depression medication for the elderly? Is life expectancy associated with depression in the elderly? What are the early signs of dementia in the elderly?

From the WebMD Archives. Unfortunately, depressive symptoms are often under-recognized in these diseases being masked by cognitive impairment.

While depression in old age is quite prevalent at about 10– of elders depending on the presence of other comorbid physical disorders, the prevalence of dementia is lower than in developed countries at about. Never assume that a loss of mental sharpness is just a normal sign of old age. It could be a sign of either depression or dementia, both of which are common in older adults. A WHO study says that 21.

India suffer from depression. Elderly patients who experience depressive symptoms when taking medications should report symptoms to the prescribing physician immediately. Depression and dementia are common in older adults.

It helps to how the common symptoms manifest in each disease. But some behavior clues may help the doctor make an educated assessment.

Dementia is a mental illness that refers to the cognitive decline of an individual. This means they can lose their memory, have a reduced ability to problem-solve and lack concentration. Non-pharmacological Intervention Non-pharmacological methods should be the first-line intervention in treatment of depression in patients with dementia.

Minor depression —People with this condition have just two to five of the symptoms above, which are often mild or moderate. The symptoms also tend to last fewer than two years. Minor depression is thought to be more common in the elderly than major depression , which is the more severe form of the condition.

Clinical depression in the elderly is common. Late-life depression affects about million Americans ages and older. But only receive treatment for depression. Elderly patients are at high risk for depression and cognitive disorders, the latter of which can be chronic (as in dementia ) or acute (as in delirium). Some patients have both affective (mood) and cognitive disorders.

Clarifying the diagnosis is the first step to effective treatment, but this can be particularly difficult because elderly patients often have medical comorbidities that can. It is a common but serious mood disorder that needs treatment. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, and working.

People in long-term residential care appear to be particularly at risk of depression. Elderly people are less likely to seek help for depression and may not even be able to identify it as depression. There is a difference between clinical and major depression and normal sadness. Know the signs and get help for a major depressive episode.

With dementia and late-onset depression , researchers and doctors are unclear if late-onset depression is an indicator of developing dementia , or a symptom of dementia itself.

The elderly can experience depression like any other age group, yet may encounter difficulties that other age groups may not. While you may think depression is the natural result of aging, if. Dementia caregivers may consider their signs and symptoms a normal part of providing care, or they may avoid treatment out of shame or fear.

Untreated depression can affect both your physical health and your ability to provide care.